The document discusses potential distribution options for an independent, low-budget thriller film. It analyzes why large chain cinemas and major TV networks would be unlikely given the film's scale. Better prospects mentioned include smaller UK film festivals in London focusing on student/indie films, and independent cinemas in London and Bristol that showcase new work. Young filmmakers competitions are highlighted as a good opportunity to screen the film. Online filmmaking forums are also identified as places for independent filmmakers to share knowledge and seek advice.
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Distributing your low-budget indie film through film festivals and young filmmaker competitions
1. What kind of media
institution would
distribute your media
product and why?
2. Thriller Films Showing Locally At the Odeon
The only thriller film currently
showing at the local cinema is
the survival thriller ‘Everest’
which is about climbers from two
expeditions who start their final
ascent toward the summit of
Mount Everest. With little
warning, a violent storm strikes
the mountain, engulfing the
adventurers in one of the
fiercest blizzards ever
encountered by man. Challenged
by the harshest conditions
imaginable, the teams must
endure blistering winds and
freezing temperatures in an epic
battle to survive against nearly
impossible odds.
It can be concluded that the
thriller genre is not very popular
at this moment compared to
fantasy, sci-fi etc.
The likely hood of our film
reaching its target
audience is slim to none if
it is shown in a large chain
cinema like Odeon or Vue,
as it would not only be a
low budget and low
coverage indie film, but it
would also be unable to
attract a lot of people.
It is also unlikely that a large brand cinema would ever show a small indie film
like ours as they wouldn’t get a lot of coverage or money for it, as it will be a
relatively unknown film.
3. Film Festivals
These are some of the upcoming UK film festivals in 2016 which might display our film,
as most of them are in London or in the surrounding area, are rather small venues, it
shouldn't be to hard to get our film shown.
This list tells us the date, location and whether the venue is open to all, or just to young
people, so it is likely that our film would be shown in at least a few of these venues.
• 8-17 January 2016 London Short Film Festival, London, Open to all
• February 2016 (TBC) BFI Future Film Festival, London, Open to young people
• February 2016 (TBC) Screentest: The National Student Film Festival, London, Open to
young people
• March 2016 (TBC) Watersprite – The Cambridge International Student Film Festival,
Cambridge, Open to young people
• June 2016 (TBC) Walthamstow International Film Festival, London, Open to all
• June 2016 (TBC) Open City Docs Fest, London, Open to all
• June 2015 (TBC) Underwire Festival, London, Open to all
4. Independent Cinemas
Genesis, London
This East London stalwart remains high on the list
of quality indie cinemas in the capitial. Some of its
screens may once have been glorified TV screens,
but in recent years it has upgraded to match (and
exceed) the most high-end of multiplexes. Fiercely
independent, it celebrated it’s very own GenFest a
few weeks ago, which included a remix of The
Cabinet of Dr Caligari, Ghostbusters, a poetry
slam, and live art in the gallery.
Watershed, Bristol
Opened in 1982, the Watershed was the UK's first dedicated
media centre. With its core mission statement to enable new
work and make a creative ecosystem, the three screen cinema
sits perfectly here, and is a highlight of any time spent in Bristol.
The Watershed is the type of cinema which plays host to wide-
ranging international films, and finds time to dedicate several
days to a celebration of composer Philip Glass and his film scores.
Both of these cinemas are possibilities for showing our
film, as they both accept small films and young
filmmakers work. These are both also based in the
general area which will make it easier to go there and
discuss the terms of our film showing in their cinema.
5. TV
Some network channel have shown indie films in the past, whether it be for
an event which lasts a weekend, like ‘Indie Film Weekend’ which has been
shown on horror channels and other small channels. However big networks
like BBC, Channel 4, ITV etc. have had no history and are unlikely to in the
future show any form of indie films, as they don’t gather a lot of press and
lack the funds to get shown on these big channels.
Although a few channels have in the past shown indie films, it is still very
hard to get them recognised out of all the others, especially if the filmmakers
have no money for promotional use or to get their work onto cable channels.
Film 4 has very specific times when they will show indie films and other
smaller budget films, like at special weekends and events, so they are always
a possibility, although the likely hood is small as they show mostly indie films
with a budget rather than ours which is home made and low budget.
6. Young Filmmakers Competitions
Cinemagic is looking for imaginative and original films made by young
people to be screened as part of Cinemagic young filmmaker 2016. The
films can be about anything at all! Fact or fiction, comedy or drama, news
programme or documentary.
Cinemagic young filmmaker 2016 will take place during the Cinemagic
Belfast festival in October/November. The event will showcase the best
short film entries of the year and we will also be producing a series of
workshops and master classes with renowned members of the film and TV
Industry. A digital filmmaking prize will be awarded for the best film in
each age and genre category - the winning entries will also be screened ‘in
competition’ during the Cinemagic international film festival for young
people in 2017.
This film festival accepts
all types of projects and
peoples work form the
ages of 15 upwards to 25
years old. This would be
a good opportunity for
us to show off our
independent film.
7. Websites
Filmmaker
Filmmakers on a tight budget know perfectly well how difficult it is to stay on that
budget. This blog contains helpful articles regarding a wide array of topics from
industry news, to new software updates, and to helpful tips. Members of the site
can post on the forums and exchange information on filmmaking as well as their
own projects. The forum is an ideal place for independent filmmakers to seek
knowledge from their peers.
IndieTalk
Similar to Filmmaker, IndieTalk is filmmaking community in which filmmakers share
and exchange ideas in a forum. The forums are broken down into categories such as
Cameras & Lenses, Screenwriting, Cinematography and Lighting, and Post
Production. The members on the forum typically offer advice on how to get around
problems in filmmaking while not doing damage to your wallet.
8. Where Our Film May Be Shown
Our film would most likely be shown at venues like young filmmakers competitions
or filmmakers festivals, as both of those are very common in the area and will
have people similar to use showing their low budget, independent, indie films.
Places like indie cinemas and on indie film websites are less likely to show our film
as they would rather take on films that are more independent and have a higher
chance of making money.
TV channels like film 4 are even les likely as they would only take films from
famous indie producers and directors.